What is floodplain management?

Floodplain management involves reducing flood risk by use of planning controls, flood mitigation works and maintenance measures, early warning of flood events and a prediction of the severity of the flood.  

Specifically, Wimmera CMA roles and responsibilities for floodplain management include:

• determine the extent and height of floodwaters;
• declare flood levels;
• manage waterways and floodplains;
• raise awareness of floodplain management issues and best management practices;
• advise local governments on flooding issues affecting development;
• develop and implement plans to minimise flood risk and damage;
• provide flood advice to the public;
• undertake flood monitoring;
• obtain and enhance flood data;
• assist local government with developing flood emergency plans; and
• assist VICSES with developing flood warning systems.

Why is floodplain management important?

Floodplains are generally fertile areas upon which a significant proportion of the region’s agricultural business depends. Regular flooding enhances productivity by increasing soil moisture, recharging groundwater and depositing fertile silts across the floodplain.  

Flooding can also interfere with agricultural practices and can cause damage to buildings and infrastructure, such as roads as well. Floods also cause social disruption. The cost of flooding is far greater than any other natural disaster. The total estimated damages of a ‘100 year’ flood in the Wimmera is $86 million.  


Flood management

Wimmera CMA works closely with local government to provide flood advice. It has developed flood studies and up-to-date predictive maps to accurately define future Wimmera flood levels. Flood studies have been completed for:

 Dimboola Flood Study (4.28 MB)
 Glenorchy Flood Study (763.17 kB)
 Halls Gap Flood Study (4.55 MB)
 Horsham Flood Study (3.23 MB)
 Jeparit Flood Study (3.62 MB)
 Warrack and Beulah Flood Study (2.84 MB)

Wimmera CMA has worked closely with local government to amend planning schemes, using flood-study results, to minimise future flood damage. The authority has also worked with emergency-response agencies to upgrade a Wimmera Flood Warning Network.

This project has involved a radio-telemetry upgrade of existing flood stations and installing five new stations to link settlements including Horsham, Warracknabeal, Dimboola and Jeparit to the flood-warning network.

Benefits from the upgrade will include enhanced and reliable real-time access to flood-level information and an accurate prediction of flood behaviour.

These improvements will increase the warning lead time and allow communities to prepare for flood. This will translate to reduced flood damage and trauma for residents, businesses and property owners.

One-in-100-year Wimmera flood maps

 Dimboola Flood Map (1.37 MB)
 Glenorchy Flood Map (1.9 MB)
 Halls Gap Flood Map (2.5 MB)
 Horsham Flood Map (1.94 MB)
 Jeparit Flood Map (799.22 kB)
 Warracknabeal Flood Map (658.57 kB)

Flood information sources

Tune to radio station 3WV ABC Local Radio 594 AM  Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)

Flood Warnings and related information website

Victoria State Emergency Service Storms and Floods - Phone 132500 website

Northern Grampians Shire Council - Phone (03) 5358 8700 website

Horsham Rural City Council - Phone (03) 5382 9777 website

Hindmarsh Shire Council - Phone (03) 5391 1811 website

Yarriambiack Shire Council - Phone (03) 5398 0100 website

Contact Wimmera CMA.  

Make sure to provide the following details:

• Name, telephone number, postal address, address of the property you are enquiring about (if different from your postal address)
• The title description ie plan no, lot no, Crown allotment no., the development you would like to undertake on your property ie two lot subdivision, dwelling, shed, earthworks etc.
• Please provide a sketch of your proposed development, giving details of the dimensions of the development in relation to the property boundaries.

Wimmera CMA will write you a letter providing details of whether your property is subject to flooding and to what extent.